INDECOM to probe Manchester nightclub shooting

BY RHOMA TOMLINSON Observer writer tomlinsonr@jamaicaobserver.com

Friday, December 10, 2010

MANDEVILLE, Manchester — The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) has began a probe into the controversial killing of Dwayne Hendricks who was allegedly shot and killed by an off-duty policeman at a nightclub here two months ago.

Reports are that Hendricks, who is from Grey Ground in the parish, was shot by the policeman who was working as a watchman at the nightclub on Ward Avenue. The Observer understands that the policeman is assigned to the Mandeville Police Station.

INDECOM yesterday confirmed that it was investigating the incident, but could not give details as the investigators were out of office. But the Observer understands that INDECOM has already interviewed some members of Hendricks' family and some alleged eye witnesses to the incident.

Councillor for the Mandeville Division, Sally Porteous, who has been following the investigations, told the media that she called in the independent investigation body because she was not satisfied with reports she had heard about the incident.

She said during the incident, Hendricks was allegedly pushed to the ground by the policeman, a gun put to his chest and one shot fired. The man reportedly died instantly.

She said it was not clear what sparked the incident, as "that morning, both of them had eaten breakfast together. They seemed to have been friends because the police involved seemed to have frequented the restaurant where Dwayne worked, and there were meals that were taken together".

INDECOM, which was set up in August this year to probe controversial police killings, has taken over several high profile cases from the Bureau of Special Investigations. Among them is the controversial case of Keith Clarke, brother of former politician Claude Clarke. The former was killed earlier this year when security forces stormed his Kirkland Heights home in search of then fugitive Christopher 'Dudus' Coke. Autopsy reports have revealed that he was shot in the back repeatedly.

Government has given the unit some $86.4 million to carry out its day to day operations for this fiscal year.

Councillor for the Mandeville division Sally Porteous called in INDECOM to investigate nightclub shooting in Maneville. (Observer file photo)